The film 'Julie Keeps Quiet' (Julie zwijgt) by Belgian director Leonardo Van Dijl has been shortlisted among the five finalists for the LUX Audience Award, European Parliament officials announced in Strasbourg on Wednesday.
Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) as well as the general public can now vote for their favourite film. The winner will be announced next April.
'Julie Keeps Quiet' tells the story of a young tennis player whose life revolves around the sport. When her coach is investigated for abuse of power and is suddenly suspended, club members are encouraged to speak up. Julie, however, chooses to remain silent.
The drama, which will be released in Belgian cinemas on 16 October, is Belgium's nominee for the 2025 Oscars and the director's first feature film.
It was nominated for the LUX Audience Award alongside 'Animal' by Greek director Sofia Exarchou, 'Dahomey' by French filmmaker Mati Diop, 'Flow' by Latvian director Gints Zilbalodis, and 'Intercepted' by Ukrainian-Canadian director Oksana Karpovych. The films were chosen by a panel of EU professionals.
The winner will be voted on through an online platform accessible to MEPs and citizens across the European Union until April 2025. A ceremony will then be held that month at the European Parliament's Brussels headquarters in the presence of the finalists.
In the meantime, screenings and discussions about the films will be organised throughout the EU.
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The European Parliament and the European Film Academy has awarded the LUX Audience Award in partnership with the European Commission and the Europa Cinemas network since 2020. It aims to encourage dialogue between policymakers and citizens through cinema.
The nominated films address current social and political themes such as mental health, poverty, climate change, freedom of expression, gender equality and LGBTQ+ rights.
In the previous edition of the award, over 700 film screenings were organised, with discussions involving more than 70,000 viewers, according to the organisers.
